Carl Washburne State Park to Waldport (actual date Wednesday 6/4/14) In this morning’s dream I stumble upon a box filled with various treasures – gold coins and collectible bills, antiques with rusty edges, records in worn sleeves, a new pair of trail running shoes. I can take whatever I want. But I leave with nothing from the lot. I don’t have room for anything else … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 12
Jessie Honeyman State Park to Carl Washburne State Park, near Florence (actual date Tuesday 6/3/14) In my reoccurring dream, I try so hard to keep up with a man walking ahead of me, but it’s impossible. The small shine of his white hair moves farther and farther away until it is a flashlight on a distant island, dancing around as if illuminating shells that lay … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 11
William Tugman State Park to Jessie Honeyman State Park (actual date Monday 6/2/14) In the morning I sing the praises of bug repellent. Giant mosquitoes hover and hum as if debating the safety of a clumsy landing. I’ve never seen a swarm of bees yet I imagine this is what it’s like to encounter one, albeit one in slow-motion. The thick cloud hums like a … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 10
North Bend (Quality Inn) to William Tugman State Park (actual date Sunday 6/1/14) At the free breakfast, folks silently weaved through each other while waiting for the make-your-own waffle machine to beep. They stacked danish, toast, and too much of every other tasteless option on their styrofoam plates while their eyes trained on the sort of TV news channel where anchors and correspondents yell at … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 9
Bullards Beach State Park to North Bend (actual date Saturday, 5/31/14) This morning, and after a full day off, I felt a strange appreciation for the way my backpack hung on my body. It was like a hug, a good one, and I haven’t had one of those in a while. I hung three pieces of art on my way to the beach, then began … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 8
Down Day (0 miles) at Bullards Beach State Park (actual date Friday, 5/30/14) Strange dreams last night. In one I was given a box filled with uncorked wine bottles. I had to figure out a way to get the box on my bike and was worried it wouldn’t fit. Someone offered to help me but instead just gave me two gift cards to places I … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 7
Floras Lake to Bullards Beach State Park (actual date Thursday, 5/29/14) Either my Camelbak leaks or I don’t remember drinking a bunch of water during the night. Because this morning it was bone dry, leaving me with a mere 2 liters of bottled water for my upcoming 15-mile slog in the sand. And against a cold wind, no less, that was already howling as I … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 6
Paradise Point to Floras Lake (actual date Wednesday, 5/28/14) The rain last night drowned out the sound of the ocean. Made me quit thinking about sneaker waves and tsunamis and wonder when it would all stop. Soothing for the most part, an occasional downpour turned the rainfly into a snare drum which snapped me awake to think about the (wet) hike ahead. These moments were … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 5
Sisters Rock to Paradise Point (actual date Tuesday, 5/27/14) In my waking dream my father is telling me that when his children are happy it makes him cry. I wonder if he is weeping now. It rained all night. The tent’s first weather test. A tent that I trust completely since my best friend Kent used the same model as he walked across the USA … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 4
Gold Beach Visitor’s Center to Sisters Rock (actual date Monday, 5/26/14) I woke up to the sound of a marching band playing Yankee Doodle Dandy. Songs celebrating America provided a soundtrack for my new morning ritual consisting of eating a can of pears, painting, and breaking camp. It was Memorial Day and Gold Beach was abuzz by 7:30am. Seems that adjacent to the visitor’s center … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 3
Tom Griffen 
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